That’s the question I got on the metro when I wore my Obama shirt to the 4th of july fireworks. It’s a very good question to answer, because it provides an opportunity to lay to rest the lingering fear that Obama is an empty suit, a newcomer with little experience and even less to show for it.

That’s certainly the right wing noise machine’s spin (and the one Hillary Clinton adopted during the primaries), but its not even close to the truth. So here are a few of Barack Obama’s notable accomplishments.

First, bills sponsored. About 126 as of 7-06-2008 according to Thomas. A couple of those leap right out. Theres S.453 to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. Or S.674 to add accountability and oversight to security contractors. Barack has a couple bills to his name to bolster and protect the quality of care veterans recieve (And no, John McCain is not a co-sponsor!).

“Statistics: Barack Obama has sponsored 132 bills since Jan 4, 2005, of which 119 haven’t made it out of committee (Average) and 2 were successfully enacted (Average)”

and

“Statistics: John McCain has sponsored 537 bills since Jan 21, 1993, of which 340 haven’t made it out of committee (Extremely Poor) and 31 were successfully enacted (Exceedingly Good, relative to peers).”

Sponsoring/Cosponsoring a bill means nothing, it’s whether you can get it passed that counts.

You can sponsor anything Case in Point But it doesn’t mean much if it goes nowhere (thought you’d like that one)

Its interesting that so many of McCain’s bills have been stuck in committee. What is even more intriguing is that Obama’s have largely been trapped in committee. Roughly 60% of McCain’s bills vs roughly 90% of Obama’s! I think that has a little bit to do with what has passed.

Sponsoring and co-sponsoring do matter, a lot. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the foundation that makes passing a bill possible, along with the impact of writing innovative and important laws and resolutions. The impeachment bill you linked is an excellent example of a brave man making a stand. While frankly I think at this point we ought to wait until he’s out of office and convict the felon, I deeply respect Kucinich for bringing that bill to the floor, even when it has no chance of passing.